kufengler Loc: Meridian, Idaho 83646

"What are daytime running lamps (DRL)?"
Daytime running lamps (DRL) are automotive lighting devices on the front of motor vehicles that automatically switch on when the engine is running. They are also called daytime running lights.

Not to be confused with headlights, the purpose of the DRL is not to help drivers see the road or their surroundings better. The DRL’s intended purpose is to help other road users see your vehicle better.

Because DRLs are not designed to illuminate the road, they are often made with LED lights instead of halogen headlight bulbs. LED DRLs are long-lasting, energy-efficient, and give off a bright white light.

"DRL vs. headlights vs. fog lamps"
During the day, most drivers turn their headlights off. A DRL enhances road safety by helping drivers see other vehicles quickly.

DRLs are also not fog lamps. When driving, fog lights cut through fog without causing glare. Typically, vehicles have two sets of fog lights. One is in the front of the vehicle, acting as headlights. The other is located on the rear as a tail light. DRLs are not meant to substitute headlights.

"DRL regulations in Canada and the U.S."
DRLs are mandated in Canada. According to Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 108, all new vehicles made or imported after January 1, 1990 must have DRL. The standard permits the use of reduced-voltage high beam headlamps, as well as any lightbulb color from white, amber, and some yellows.

There are no mandates for DRLs in the U.S. While they are legal to use, they are not required. In 2001, General Motors petitioned to have the NHTSA mandate the use of DRLs on all U.S. vehicles. However, the petition was denied in 2009, with the NHTSA citing that GM’s evidentiary studies and data contained flaws.

Fredrick Loc: Former NYC, now San Francisco Bay Area

Yes, that happens to me as well. Also when I get my car washed.

markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

Nor does my 99' Honda CRV. I've grown so accustomed to auto settings on my current newer Honda, including auto door opening and locking, that when I have to occasionally drive the 99', I have to really concentrate on shutting off switches. I've forgotten the lights a few times and had to jump start the expended battery.
Mark

Tom DePuy Loc: Waxhaw, N.C.

Haha, some people dont even turn the lights on at night...sadly

cahale Loc: San Angelo, TX

On of my vehicles, both lights and wipers are automatic. I can ignore that. On the other, neither is automatic. I can ignore that. As far as getting lost in a sea of other vehicles, are you trying to track somebody? In the past, if I needed wipers I turned them on. If I needed lights, I turned them on. It was such a horrendous task. Probably made a better person of me.

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

I worked at an observatory. It was located in the woods 30 miles outside the city for dark skies (or as close as I could get). Our equipment was automated but we occasionally had to visit the site. When we got close to the site we had to turn the headlights off since the optical equipment was very sensitive. It was not a problem driving in the dark since it never got completely dark. You get used to working in the dark when you do it a lot. (I got started in the darkroom in the '50s).

With the Prius, I left the headlights on day and night to act as visibility enhancements when on the road. But when I approached the observatory I could turn the lights off to protect the sensitive instruments. If my daytime running lights turned on automatically, day or night, I would need a way to disable them.

Horseart Loc: Alabama

My lights come on as soon as I start my car.
Lights are not the main problem where I live. According to the way they drive here, I's say that most likely, nobody reads a driver's manual, nobody knows a single law and most of the drivers here are age 3 to 5.

kufengler Loc: Meridian, Idaho 83646

The original post was about DRL's, Daylight Running Lights, not at all the same as Auto lights on, or wipers on etc. One of our vehicles has all that, my 9 year old Fusion had DRL's which I can switch off, (but why?) and auto on lights, not the wipers. Those are all things one can switch off on American cars.
It nice to have all these conveniences, but I sometimes miss those days when everything was manual, including the choke.

Canonuser Loc: UK and South Africa

My 1976 Volvo was the first model I was aware of that installed running lights that came on automatically and could not be switched off. In daylight hours nearly every driver flashed their lights at me thinking I’d forgotten to turn my lights off.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I will occasionally turn on my parking lights to light up the rear lights when visibility is reduced. I hate driving in dim conditions and see a dark car with no lights.

kufengler Loc: Meridian, Idaho 83646

When it gets to be near dusk is when my auto light setting turns on my lights.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

In NY - "The law requires you to use your headlights from one-half hour after the sun sets to one-half hour before the sun rises, when visibility is less than 1,000 feet (300 m) and when you use your windshield wipers to clear rain, snow or sleet."

Mojaveflyer Loc: Denver, CO

Newer motorcycles have three lights. The regular headlight and two lights down by the foot pegs. Three points of light make it more visible like they did with railroads years ago with three points of light.

I'm a driver's education instructor and I encourage driving with lights on day or night. If you have an older vehicle, simply turn on the lights when you start the engine. You can see a car without lights on 1/4 or a mile away, a car with headlights is visible 1/2 mile away. (That's on a sunny day.) It's not a Facebook thing, it's being visible in traffic.

ecurb Loc: Metro Chicago Area

Motorcycles are just targets for trucks anyway, I've never driven a motorcycle sober.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Smart move. They say people drive better when they're a bit tipsy, and drunks survive accidents better. They also say the earth is flat, and men never landed on the moon. 🤣